Literacy group celebrates anniversary

This release comes from Literacy Volunteers of Montgomery County:
The Literacy Volunteers of America, Montgomery County (LVA-MC) announced plans to commemorate 20 years of providing literacy training in Montgomery County by hosting a celebration at the Montgomery County Central Library in Conroe on Wednesday evening, March 10, from 6:30-8 p.m. The evening will be a celebration of the thousands of volunteers and adult learners who have worked together since 1989 to improve literacy and lives.
The lineup will include remembrances from the early days, some success stories from adult learners, and a look into what the next 20 years might hold," said Dr. Shelley McCoy, current LVA-MC president.
The public is welcome to attend, as well as all current and former tutors and students. Light refreshments will be served.
The LVA was established in 1989 to provide literacy and ESL training to adult learners in Montgomery County, and we've been doing that ever since," added McCoy. We felt it was important to take a little time to reflect on and celebrate this significant milestone."
McCoy said the mission of the LVA is as relevant today as it was 20 years ago.
We really have three target groups, and each requires the participation of both learners and tutors. The first targets those who wish to improve their basic literacy skills. The second group involves those who wish to improve their English language skills. The final group includes those who wish to give back to their community by helping those in the first two groups."
A recent study funded by United Way of Texas estimates that there are 5,000 people in Montgomery County whose native language is English but who read or write English at below the third-grade level. In many cases, these individuals have had their education interrupted for a variety of reasons. As adults, they have not been able to return to the public school system and as a result are disadvantaged in the work place. They often are unable to help a child with homework or read a bedtime story. By improving their communication skills, they can improve their job situations, increase their earning potential, and enhance their lives.
The April 2006 issue of Texas LEARNS reported that 6.5 million people in Texas speak a language other than English in their homes. Those individuals may be extremely well educated and fluent in multiple languages just not in English. As the county, state and country become more multi-cultural, it is critical that accessible classes are offered in English that will help these individuals acclimate and contribute to the community.
LVA-MC also provides training and certification for tutors in Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language. The classes are held on weekends several times a year as needed. Upon certification, a tutor can work with a class or individual, depending on how needs and schedules best match. Classes and one-on-one sessions are held in libraries, churches or local businesses. Most tutors spend between two and three hours per week preparing for, traveling to and from, and conducting classes.
For more information on the 20th anniversary celebration or about the organization, please contact the LVA-MC office at (936) 494-0635 or 888-878-9400 or by email at literacymc@yahoo.com.